Cabazitaxel

Pronunciation: kab-AZ-i-TAX-el.

Generic name
cabazitaxel
Drug class
Taxane (microtubule-inhibitor) antineoplastic chemotherapy agent
Form
Concentrate and diluent for solution for infusion (kit)
Route
Intravenous infusion
Legal status
Prescription-only; infusion administered only in a hospital or specialist oncology setting

Supply Rules Vary

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada

Australia: · Full directory

What cabazitaxel is and how it works

Cabazitaxel is an intravenous chemotherapy medicine (a taxane) used, together with the steroid prednisone, to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that has already been treated with another chemotherapy medicine called docetaxel. It is given only as a hospital or specialist-clinic infusion, never as a tablet or capsule you take at home. (1) (3)

Cabazitaxel carries a real, serious FDA boxed warning -- the strongest safety warning the FDA issues -- covering two distinct risks: a severe drop in a type of white blood cell called neutrophils (neutropenia), which has caused fatal infections, and severe allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions during the infusion. Because of these risks, you will have regular blood tests before and during treatment, and you will be given other medicines beforehand (premedication) to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Every part of your treatment -- starting, continuing, adjusting the dose, or stopping -- is decided by your oncology team.

Mechanism of action: how cabazitaxel works

Cabazitaxel is a semi-synthetic taxane that binds to and stabilises tubulin, promoting microtubule assembly while inhibiting disassembly, which blocks cell division and induces cancer cell death. It was specifically developed to retain activity in tumours that have become resistant to other taxanes, such as docetaxel. (1)

What cabazitaxel is used for

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (after docetaxel)

Used, in combination with the steroid prednisone (or prednisolone), to treat prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate, no longer responds to hormone-lowering treatment (castration-resistant), and has already been treated with a docetaxel-containing chemotherapy regimen. (1) (2) (3)

Before taking cabazitaxel

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Cabazitaxel is contraindicated if your neutrophil count (a type of white blood cell) is 1,500 cells/mm3 or lower -- your oncology team will check this with a blood test before every cycle. (all confirmed markets) (1) (3)
  • Do not receive cabazitaxel if you have had a severe allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to cabazitaxel, another taxane medicine (such as docetaxel or paclitaxel), or to polysorbate 80. (all confirmed markets) (1) (3)
  • Do not receive cabazitaxel if you have severe liver impairment (bilirubin more than 3 times the upper limit of normal). (all confirmed markets) (1) (3)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any history of allergic reactions to other chemotherapy medicines, especially other taxanes.
  • Any history of low blood cell counts, infections, or bleeding problems.
  • Any history of kidney or liver problems.
  • Any prior radiotherapy to the pelvis, which increases the risk of bladder-related side effects.
  • Any history of irregular heartbeat or breathing problems.
  • All other medicines you take, especially strong CYP3A inhibitors (certain antifungal, antibiotic, or antiviral medicines).
  • Whether you or your partner could become pregnant -- effective contraception is required during and after treatment.
(1) (3)

How to take cabazitaxel

  • Cabazitaxel is given only as an intravenous infusion by a healthcare professional in a hospital or specialist oncology setting -- it is never a medicine you take yourself at home.
  • You will be given premedication (an antihistamine, a corticosteroid, and an H2-blocker medicine) at least 30 minutes before every infusion to reduce the risk of a severe allergic reaction.
  • The infusion is combined with a daily oral steroid, prednisone (or prednisolone), which you take as directed by your oncology team.
  • Your blood counts will be checked before treatment starts and regularly throughout -- weekly during the first cycle, then before each subsequent cycle -- and your dose or schedule may be adjusted based on the results.
  • Do not change your dose, delay, or stop treatment on your own -- all of these decisions are made by your oncology team based on your blood counts and how you tolerate treatment.
(1) (3)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)

Missed dose

Because cabazitaxel is given only in a hospital or clinic on a fixed schedule set by your oncology team, contact your treatment centre promptly if you are unable to attend a scheduled infusion so it can be rescheduled appropriately.

Overdose

Because cabazitaxel is only given by a healthcare professional under close supervision, an overdose would be identified and managed by the treating clinical team. If you have any concerns about the dose or infusion you received, contact your oncology team immediately. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Low blood cell counts (neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia) -- very common, and the reason for frequent blood testing.

What to notice: Low blood cell counts (neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia) -- very common, and the reason for frequent blood testing.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (3)

Diarrhea -- common, reported in around 42-47% of patients depending on the trial/dose.

What to notice: Diarrhea -- common, reported in around 42-47% of patients depending on the trial/dose.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (3)

Fatigue and weakness (asthenia) -- common.

What to notice: Fatigue and weakness (asthenia) -- common.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Nausea and vomiting -- common.

What to notice: Nausea and vomiting -- common.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Blood in the urine (hematuria) -- common.

What to notice: Blood in the urine (hematuria) -- common.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Signs of severe neutropenia or infection — boxed_warning

Symptoms: Fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of infection, especially between infusions when blood counts are at their lowest.

Action: Contact your oncology team or go to emergency care immediately -- fatal neutropenic infections have been reported. Your blood counts will be monitored closely, and G-CSF (a medicine that helps the body make more white blood cells) may be recommended, especially if you are at higher risk or receiving the higher 25 mg/m2 dose. (1) (3)

Signs of a severe allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction during or shortly after infusion — boxed_warning

Symptoms: Widespread rash or redness, sudden low blood pressure, wheezing or difficulty breathing (bronchospasm).

Action: This requires immediate medical attention -- the infusion will be stopped right away and emergency treatment given. This is why premedication is required before every infusion. (1) (3)

Signs of severe gastrointestinal problems — high caution

Symptoms: Severe or persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, or signs of bowel obstruction.

Action: Contact your oncology team promptly or seek emergency care -- gastrointestinal hemorrhage, perforation, and neutropenic enterocolitis (a serious bowel infection linked to low white blood cell counts) have been reported, including fatal cases. (1) (3)

Signs of kidney problems — high caution

Symptoms: Reduced urination, swelling, or unusual tiredness.

Action: Tell your oncology team promptly -- renal failure has been reported, including fatal cases, often linked to infection, dehydration, or a blocked urinary tract. (1)

Signs of breathing problems — high caution

Symptoms: New or worsening shortness of breath or cough.

Action: Contact your oncology team promptly -- interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome have been reported, including fatal cases. (1)

Blood in the urine or bladder symptoms (especially after prior pelvic radiotherapy) — moderate caution

Symptoms: Blood in the urine, pain or burning when urinating, or needing to urinate more often.

Action: Tell your oncology team -- this can indicate cystitis, including hemorrhagic cystitis, and is monitored more closely in patients who have previously had radiotherapy to the pelvis. (1)

Interactions

  • Strong CYP3A inhibitor medicines (certain antifungal, antibiotic, and antiviral medicines): increase cabazitaxel levels in the blood. Your oncology team will generally avoid these combinations, or may reduce your cabazitaxel dose if the combination cannot be avoided. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Cabazitaxel is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat prostate cancer and is not used in pregnancy. Animal studies have shown embryo-fetal death at doses lower than the recommended human dose. Men receiving cabazitaxel whose partner could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the final dose. (1) (2) (3)

Breastfeeding

Should not be used during breastfeeding -- safety has not been established, and cabazitaxel and its breakdown products have been detected in animal milk. (1) (2) (3)

Children

Cabazitaxel is used to treat prostate cancer, a condition that occurs in adult men; safety and efficacy in children have not been established or are not applicable to this indication. (1) (2) (3)

Elderly

Patients 65 years and older experienced higher rates of death, neutropenia, and febrile neutropenia (fever with a very low white blood cell count) compared with younger patients in clinical trials -- close monitoring is especially important in this age group. (1) (2) (3)

Hepatic Impairment

Mild hepatic impairment: dose typically unchanged (20 mg/m^2). Moderate hepatic impairment: dose reduced to 15 mg/m^2. Severe hepatic impairment (bilirubin more than 3 times the upper limit of normal): contraindicated. (1) (2) (3)

Renal Impairment

No dose adjustment is required for mild-to-moderate renal impairment; patients with end-stage renal disease should be monitored carefully, as this population has not been extensively studied. (1) (2) (3)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Full blood count, including neutrophil count
  • Liver function tests
  • Review of any history of severe allergic reactions to taxane medicines
  • Assessment of kidney function and any history of pelvic radiotherapy

During treatment

  • Weekly blood counts during the first treatment cycle, then before every subsequent cycle.
  • Monitoring during and shortly after each infusion for signs of a hypersensitivity reaction.
  • Monitoring for signs of infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, and breathing difficulties between cycles.
  • Your care team decides whether to continue, delay, reduce the dose of, or stop treatment, based on this ongoing assessment.
(1) (3)

Storage

Cabazitaxel is stored, prepared, and administered entirely by pharmacy and clinical staff in a hospital or specialist oncology setting -- patients do not store or handle this medicine themselves.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US, EU, and UK product information reviewed; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States / United Kingdom / European Union

Indication: Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen, with prednisone/prednisolone

Dose summary: 20 mg/m^2 IV over 1 hour every 3 weeks (standard); 25 mg/m^2 an option at physician discretion with higher neutropenia-related risk; dose reductions to 20/15 mg/m^2 for severe toxicity. Mandatory premedication before every infusion.

Renal context: No adjustment for mild-moderate renal impairment; caution and close monitoring in end-stage renal disease (not extensively studied). (1) (3)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Mild impairment: 20 mg/m^2. Moderate impairment: 15 mg/m^2. Severe impairment: contraindicated.

Overdose note

No specific antidote is known. Management is supportive, under close oncology/hospital supervision, with attention to the expected complications of overdose (bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal and neurological toxicity). (1)

Frequently asked questions

Why does this page say 'Cabazitaxe' in the address, when the medicine is called cabazitaxel?

This is a genuine data entry typo/truncation in the underlying medicine record that this page is built from -- confirmed directly against the live database, which shows 'Cabazitaxe' rather than the correct name 'Cabazitaxel', with no separate correctly-spelled record. The content on this page uses the correct, full drug name 'Cabazitaxel' throughout; only the web address reflects the underlying record's name.

Does cabazitaxel carry a boxed warning?

Yes -- a real, current, two-part FDA boxed warning verified from the live US label. The first part covers neutropenia (a severe drop in a type of white blood cell), including reported fatal cases; the second covers severe hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions during infusion. Frequent blood tests and mandatory premedication before every infusion are the direct safety measures used to manage these risks. (1) (3)

Can cabazitaxel be taken as a tablet at home?

No. Cabazitaxel is given only as an intravenous infusion in a hospital or specialist oncology setting, always alongside mandatory premedication and close monitoring. It is not a self-administered tablet or capsule. (1)

Is cabazitaxel available worldwide?

It is confirmed authorised in the United States (as Jevtana and as generic cabazitaxel), across the European Union (a genuine EU-wide centralised marketing authorisation since 2011), and in the United Kingdom (now available only as generic cabazitaxel products, with no current branded Jevtana listing found). Authorisation status in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand could not be confirmed in this research and is not asserted either way -- check with a local oncology service for current availability. (1) (2) (3)

What is the mechanism of action of cabazitaxel?

Cabazitaxel is a semi-synthetic taxane that binds to and stabilises tubulin, promoting microtubule assembly while inhibiting disassembly, which blocks cell division and induces cancer cell death. It was specifically developed to retain activity in tumours that have become resistant to other taxanes, such as docetaxel. (1)

What is the generic name of Cabazitaxel?

The generic name is cabazitaxel. (1) (2)

What class of drug is cabazitaxel?

Cabazitaxel is classed as: Taxane (microtubule-inhibitor) antineoplastic chemotherapy agent. (1) (2)

References

  1. JEVTANA (cabazitaxel) kit -- full prescribing information (Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC)U.S. Food and Drug Administration (via DailyMed) · United States · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 1
  2. Jevtana -- European Public Assessment Report (EPAR)European Medicines Agency · European Union · dated 2011-03-17 · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 2
  3. Cabazitaxel 20 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion -- Summary of Product Characteristics (Genus Pharmaceuticals)electronic Medicines Compendium (UK) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 3

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient cabazitaxel names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • JEVTANA (1)current regulator label · 60 mg/1.5 mL (kit) · Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC (also available as generic cabazitaxel, e.g. Accord Healthcare)

United Kingdom

  • Cabazitaxel (generic; e.g. Genus Pharmaceuticals, Glenmark, Dr Reddy's, Sandoz, Tillomed) (3)current licensed product · 10 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 60 mg · See current emc SmPC listing (multiple generic manufacturers; no current Jevtana brand listing found)

Canada

  • JEVTANA
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Jevtana (2)

This page provides general reference information about cabazitaxel and is not a substitute for advice from the oncology team managing your treatment. All dosing, premedication, and treatment decisions must be made with your treating oncologist, and this medicine is given only in a hospital or specialist infusion setting.

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